n.

1. the act of fighting; any contest or struggle;
   fighting, combat, scrap
   
   • a fight broke out at the hockey game
   • there was fighting in the streets
   • the unhappy couple got into a terrible scrap
2. an intense verbal dispute
   
   • a violent fight over the bill is expected in the Senate
3. a boxing or wrestling match
   
   • the fight was on television last night
4. a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war;
   battle, conflict, engagement
   
   • Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga
   • he lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement
5. an aggressive willingness to compete;
   competitiveness
   
   • the team was full of fight

v.

1. be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight;
   contend, struggle
   
   • the tribesmen fought each other
   • Siblings are always fighting
   • Militant groups are contending for control of the country
2. fight against or resist strongly;
   oppose, fight back, fight down, defend
   
   • The senator said he would oppose the bill
   • Don't fight it!
3. make a strenuous or labored effort;
   struggle
   
   • She struggled for years to survive without welfare
   • He fought for breath
4. exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for;
   crusade, press, campaign, push, agitate
   
   • The liberal party pushed for reforms
   • She is crusading for women's rights
   • The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate